South Africa Targets Guinness World Record for Biggest Braai

South Africa will attempt to win a Guinness World Records title for the most people braaiing at the same time. The World’s Biggest Braai is scheduled for Heritage Day on 24 September 2026 at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

The event is organised by Big Save in partnership with 5FM. Big Save head of marketing Dylan Jardim said the SA attempt was beaten last year by Japan. 

Because not all the people in SA were at their stations, Guinness considered that the braais were not simultaneous.

“It’s frustrating, because this is not how South Africans do a braai,” 

“The whole purpose of a braai is socialising, so we did it the way we do it, but that’s not how they wanted it. We need to do things differently this year if we want to break the record.”

Everyone is expected to be there at 10.00am. 

Photo: Jacaranda FM

Guests will remain at their assigned stations for some period. There will be tighter stewarding, wristband controls and station arrangements. 

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The event will bring together people from different parts of the country. The braai is linked with South African social life. Guinness World Records documented South Africa’s connection with the tradition. 

Those expected at the event are Shekhinah, Mafikizolo, Matthew Mole, Lady Zamar, Zaan Sonnekus and Ben Rodrigues.

Photo: Jacaranda FM

Tickets are priced at R255, according to published event information. Participants will receive a bread roll or pap, tongs, and a branded apron Guinness World Records has a separate South African barbecue record. 

The event offers another opportunity to turn last year’s unsuccessful attempt into an officially recognised achievement. The main challenge will be keeping thousands of participants at their assigned braai stations while the record awaits verification.